The son of federal opposition leader Peter Dutton has been photographed holding a clear zip-lock bag containing a small amount of “white powder”.
Tom Dutton, 18, was photographed with what was described as a “birthday present” on the balcony of a Surfers Paradise apartment on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
The teenager was photographed in front of the camera, holding a bag in his right hand.
The photo was posted to Tom Dutton’s friend’s Snapchat account with the caption “Birthday present.” Hello, how are you?
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting the white substance is drugs.
Tom Dutton, 18, was pictured with what was described as a “birthday present” at an apartment in Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast.
When asked about the photo, Mr. Dutton’s office told the Daily Telegraph: “This is a private Dutton family matter.”
The image was posted on the Snapchat account of a friend of Tom Dutton.
The photo was deleted shortly after being shared, but a screenshot taken by one of the recipients continued to circulate online.
Snapchat is popular among young people because posts often disappear once read.
Recipients can take screenshots of posts, but the person who shared them will be notified.
When asked about the photo, Mr Dutton’s office said: “This is a private matter for the Dutton family.”
Dutton attacked soft drug laws last year, saying “the ACT government is rolling out the red carpet for drug use and more crime”.
“Effectively, it is welcoming more ice, heroin, cocaine, MDMA and speed onto our streets,” he said in September.
Dutton, a former police officer, said he knows “that our hardworking law enforcement agencies work tirelessly to keep drugs off the streets and keep our community safe.”
More to come.
